The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday declined to entertain a bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing the request as premature. The case was subsequently adjourned to April 23, 2026.
Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik, who presided over the session, ruled that El-Rufai’s legal team could not proceed with the bail motion at this stage, indicating that the former governor must first be properly arraigned before the court.
A lawyer present during the proceedings disclosed that the judge refused to allow the defence counsel to move the application, stressing that it was not ripe for consideration and scheduling the next hearing date for formal arraignment.
El-Rufai was absent from the courtroom as he remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Several members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Bolaji Abdullahi, attended the session as observers.
The development adds to the growing legal challenges facing the former governor. Earlier, El-Rufai filed a ₦1 billion suit alleging violation of his fundamental rights, accusing the ICPC and other authorities of unlawfully invading his Abuja residence.
The suit, lodged on February 20, 2026, lists the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.
His counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), argued that operatives, supported by police officers, carried out a search of his residence on Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, based on what they described as a flawed and improperly executed search warrant.
According to the defence, the warrant allegedly failed to clearly specify the items to be seized and contained significant errors, which they claim render it invalid.
Concerns have also been raised by El-Rufai’s camp regarding his continued detention. His media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, alleged that the former governor experienced health issues while in custody and was restricted from directly receiving food brought by family members.
The aide further claimed he was transferred overnight from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the ICPC without prior notice to his legal team or relatives.
El-Rufai’s lawyers have maintained that no valid remand order has been presented to justify his continued detention beyond constitutional limits, while attempts to secure bail have so far been unsuccessful.
With the latest ruling, the court is expected to formally arraign the former governor when proceedings resume on April 23, as his legal dispute with federal anti-corruption agencies continues to unfold.